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Barcelona sensation Ansu Fati suffered a muscle tear during his side's 5-2 victory over Real Betis, the club confirmed on Saturday. 

Fati, 18, started for Barca in the absence of Lionel Messi from the first XI as the Catalans looked to bounce back from a run of poor form in La Liga. 

But he was only able to complete the first 45 minutes, during which Barca struggled to overcome the Seville side as they entered the break tied at 1-1. 

Messi replaced his young team-mate at half-time and proceeded to score twice to lead his team to a much-needed victory. 

And after the game, Barca confirmed that Fati would require a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury. 

"Tests carried out this afternoon have shown that Ansu Fati has an internal meniscus tear in his left knee," the club explained on Twitter. 

"The treatment to be followed will be determined in the coming days."

Coach Ronald Koeman attempted to play down the severity of Fati's condition, suggesting that the early substitution was a precaution. 

"He was in some discomfort at the break and we didn't want to risk him. That was the reason behind the substitution," the Dutchman revealed to reporters when asked about the forward's health. 

While Spain are yet to comment on Fati, the tear looks likely to rule him out of action for the upcoming international break, having become the nation's youngest-ever goalscorer back in September with his strike against Ukraine.

La Roja are scheduled to face the Netherlands on Wednesday in a friendly clash before their UEFA Nations League double-header against Switzerland and Germany on November 14 and 17 respectively. 

Barca, meanwhile, will hope to recover their gem as soon as possible after the restart, with Koeman's men back in action on November 21 with a daunting away clash against Atletico Madrid, marking Luis Suarez's first meeting with his former employers.

Chelsea kept pace at the top of the Premier League as they came from behind to beat Sheffield United 4-1 at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues had kept clean sheets in each of their last five matches, but saw their goal breached in the ninth minute by David McGoldrick.

However, Tammy Abraham equalised and Ben Chilwell gave Chelsea a lead they would not relinquish as their defensive solidity returned thereafter.

Thiago Silva's first goal for Chelsea made sure of the victory before Timo Werner made the margin of triumph even more comfortable. 

The win means Frank Lampard's men are a point behind leaders Southampton and second-placed Liverpool, who have a game in hand. The winless Blades are bottom with one point from eight games.

Chelsea went close to breaking the deadlock in the fourth minute when Chilwell was denied by Aaron Ramsdale at the far post following good work from Abraham.

Five minutes later the hosts were unexpectedly behind, George Baldock and Sander Berge combining excellently from a short corner to tee up David McGoldrick to convert with a stylish flick.

McGoldrick's goal was the first Chelsea have conceded in all competitions for 459 minutes, but they did not need too long to respond, Hakim Ziyech releasing Mateo Kovacic down the right to pull back for Abraham to level matters with a measured finish.

Werner then rattled the underside of the crossbar just after the half-hour mark following a Kovacic free-kick and the turnaround was completed when Chilwell converted at the far post after Ramsdale misjudged Ziyech's excellent cross.

Kovacic shot narrowly wide as Chelsea looked to kill the game off, an aim they achieved when Silva was left unmarked to head home Ziyech's right-wing free-kick.

Werner was just off target with a lofted finish moments later but he made no mistake after a loose ball squirmed into his path in the 80th minute, emphatically applying the final gloss to the scoreline.

What does it mean? Defence breached but Chelsea convincing

Lampard may have been disappointed to see his defence undone by a short corner, but he will have been thrilled with the reply.

The Blues had 20 total shots, including nine on target, and completed 754 total passes to the visitors' 307. 

Chelsea were in command once they equalised and could have won by an even greater margin.

Ziyech cuts Blades apart

Crucial to Chelsea's dominance was Ziyech, who continues to prove his worth after joining from Ajax. 

He had a hand in three goals, playing a game-high six key passes and supplying two assists.

Wilder's men set for tough fight

The Blades never looked like preventing Chelsea from easing to victory once their lead was erased.

Chris Wilder's men had only one shot in the second half and appear set for a difficult fight against relegation - they have the joint-lowest points tally a team has recorded at this stage of a Premier League campaign.

Key Opta Stats: Chelsea's best run for two years

- Chelsea (11 games without defeat) are enjoying their longest unbeaten run in all competitions since November 2018 (a run of 18).
- Meanwhile, Sheffield United's 12-game winless run is the longest they have gone without a victory in all competitions since October 2013 (a run of 13).
- McGoldrick's opener was just the second goal Edouard Mendy has conceded for Chelsea in all competitions and first since his debut against Tottenham, having kept six consecutive clean sheets prior to this game.
- Chilwell has been directly involved in four goals in his three Premier League home games for Chelsea (2 goals, 2 assists), as many as his 52 home appearances for Leicester in the competition.
- Only Glenn Hoddle (36y 150d) scored his first goal in the Premier League for the Blues at an older age than Thiago Silva (36y 46d).
- After failing to score or assist a goal in any of his first four top-flight appearances, Werner has been involved in five goals in his last four games in the competition (4 goals, 1 assist).

What's next?

Chelsea will visit Newcastle United on November 21 after the international break. Wilder's side will look for their first win when they host West Ham a day later.

Liverpool landed themselves an “exceptional player” when snapping up Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, says Chris Kirkland, but the former Reds goalkeeper says Arsenal only sanctioned a sale because the midfielder “couldn’t stay fit”.

The England international made the move to Anfield in the summer of 2017.

He had spent six years at Emirates Stadium prior to that, taking in 198 appearances and scoring 20 goals.

Those tallies could have been considerably better had regular spells on the treatment table not been taken in.

Kirkland says Oxlade-Chamberlain has endured “horrendous luck with injuries”, with momentum often evaporating as quickly as it is established.

That has been the case across an eventful spell at Liverpool, with some serious ailments laying the confident 27-year-old low.

He has seen 83 games across three seasons, but is currently out of action again with a knee complaint.

That has prevented Oxlade-Chamberlain from seeing any minutes for the reigning Premier League champions in 2020-21.

The hope is that he will soon return to full training, allowing Jurgen Klopp to call on him once more.

Kirkland wants to see an all-action playmaker get the reversal in fortune he deserves, with his career path to date having been shaped by an inability to steer clear of untimely knocks.

“We’ve seen him score goals and obviously had some horrendous luck with injuries,” ex-Liverpool keeper Kirkland told FootballFanCast.

“I mean, if he was fit, Arsenal would never have sold him for one thing you know. They sold him because he couldn’t stay fit.

“But for me he’s an exceptional player and I’d love to see him stay fit.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain has helped Liverpool to Champions League, World Club Cup and Premier League title triumphs during his time on Merseyside.

He has, however, been unable to nail down a regular starting berth and now faces fierce competition for places from the likes of Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Georginio Wijnaldum and Thiago Alcantara.

It remains to be seen when his next opportunity to impress will arrive.

Klopp is having to favour other options for now, and has some big selection decisions to make heading into a crunch clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman moved to dispel any controversy over benching Lionel Messi on Saturday, after the Argentine came on to assure his side's Liga victory over Betis. 

Messi was a surprise omission from the Blaugrana starting line-up as they looked to end their painful run of four league games without a victory at Camp Nou. 

By half-time, however, Koeman already required his presence, throwing him into the action with Barca deadlocked at 1-1 against the Seville side. 

Messi made an immediate impact, teeing Antoine Griezmann up with a wonderful dummy before scoring twice himself, including his first goal from open play in the entirety of the 2020-21 season to date. 

Teenage sensation Pedri rounded off Barca's 5-2 win in stoppage time, but after the game all eyes were on Koeman and his risky decision to leave Messi out of his starting line-up. 

"We talked to Leo, who came out of the Dynamo [Kyiv] game with a niggle and he was not fit to play from the start," the Dutchman explained to reporters after the final whistle. 

"He was on the bench in case we needed him. If he was physically OK, he would have played from the start." 

Barca's recent woeful run of form saw the Catalans drop as low as 14th by the time they took the field on Saturday, heightening the pressure on Koeman after just a handful of games in the post. 

And though they needed Messi's magical intervention to take three points, the coach was pleased to see his side creating chances, while singling out Griezmann's contribution as the Frenchman bounced back after missing a first-half penalty. 

"It is a big win for how much we needed the points and I am happy with our attacking play," he added. 

"We created a lot of danger, with a lot of chances. The draw at the break was not fair. 

"We were better, missed a penalty and had more chances. We deserved to score in the second half. 

"I hope [Griezmann] keeps working as he has done so far. You have to be there in order to miss.

"I'd like to highlight his character in staying here and continuing to work hard. He knows perfectly well that he has missed chances. Despite his bad luck, he's always there to score."

Thomas Partey is an “absolute steal” for Arsenal at £45 million ($59m), says Paul Merson, with a midfielder who could “play for anyone” addressing the biggest need for those at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have been crying out for another commanding presence in their engine room.

Having once boasted the likes of Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva in that part of the field, the north London outfit has faced accusations of becoming a little soft at their centre.

Finding a suitable successor to some iconic figures was never going to be easy, or cheap.

Arsenal have, however, found considerable value in Partey, who was snapped up from Atletico Madrid over the summer.

He has slotted seamlessly into the fold under Arteta, with his performances earning widespread praise as the likes of Merson become fully aware of the qualities that he brings to the fold.

“They’ve got that player now. Before you looked and you thought ‘not good enough in midfield’,” former Arsenal playmaker Merson told Sky Sports.

“You’ve got [Granit] Xhaka and whoever it might be playing with him. They haven’t got that pass, and they play deep, and it’s just workmanlike.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him. When they said Partey looks like he’s going to Arsenal for £45m, I thought ‘am I missing a trick here?’

“He could play for anyone, I look at Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool.

“I can't speak highly enough of him, it's an absolute steal for Arsenal.

“It's a shame that [Mesut] Ozil can't play because I think he opens up the space for Ozil.”

Partey is unlikely to get the opportunity to work alongside Ozil any time soon.

A World Cup winner has been firmly frozen out of the picture at Emirates Stadium, with Arteta making some surprising selection calls.

No place has been found for Ozil in Europa League or Premier League squads.

He appears to be stumbling his way towards free agency in 2021, with the German considered to be part of Arsenal’s past.

Partey is very much the present and future, with the Ghana international set to get another opportunity to impress when the Gunners play host to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Tanzania striker Mbwana Samatta featured as Fenerbahce’s unbeaten start to the 2020-21 Turkish Super Lig season ended with a 2-0 loss to Konyaspor on Saturday.

Samatta was in action for 69 minutes before he was replaced by Ferdi Kadioglu, but second-half goals from Marko Jevtovi and Artem Kravets sealed all three points for Konyaspor.

The Taifa Stars captain could not stretch his tally of two goals in the Turkish Super Lig but he contributed to the Yellow Canaries' attacking threats at Ulker Stadium.

Before his substitution, Samatta managed two shots with one on target and he won three aerial duels.

The defeat came as a shock to Fenerbahce after Konyaspor travelled to Istanbul with a four-game winless record. This was their first win since September 27.

The hosts, meanwhile, had a great start to the campaign with a record of five wins and two draws before Saturday’s loss.

DR Congo's Marcel Tisserand and Senegal duo Mame Thiam and Papiss Cisse were also in action for Fenerbahce while Uganda's Farouk Miya played a crucial role on the flanks to ensure Konyaspor's victory.

Fenerbahce remain unmoved in second spot after the defeat with 17 points after eight games while Konyaspor climbed to 10th in the Turkish top-flight standings with nine points from seven matches.

Samatta is expected to lead Tanzania to Tunisia for their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on November 13, before they host the North African country for the reverse fixture at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, four days later.

After the international break, Fenerbahce have a date with Genclerbirligi for their next Super Lig fixture on November 22.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has insisted the door is ajar for David Alaba to remain at Bayern Munich.

Alaba’s future at the Allianz Arena was thrust into the spotlight last weekend when Bayern revealed they had withdrawn their latest contract offer to the Austria international and would not be returning to the table.

The defender expressed surprise with Bayern’s decision and it threatened to result in an acrimonious parting of ways when his agreement ends at the conclusion of the season.

However, positive noises have been coming out of both camps and Rummenigge - who is the chairman of the club’s executive board - says common ground can still be found.

"The door is still open a crack,” Rummenigge told Sky Deutschland . “If David wants to stay at Bayern then we have to evaluate how we can find a reasonable solution for both sides."

Earlier this week, Rummenigge said he hoped Alaba would remain at the club . 

Rummenigge said: “I think we all think the same thing here at the club: We all want David to stay. He's a wonderful person and a top player.

“At some point we have to start planning for the new season. We have to know: Will David stay with FC Bayern or not? A decision is important to us at this point.”

It is clear that the club feel the first move has to come from Alaba. The 28-year-old has the option to let his contract wind down, and from January he would be free to negotiate with teams from outside Germany and leave on a free transfer in the summer.

Alaba is one of the most accomplished defenders in the game, being comfortable operating at left-back and in the centre of defence. 

Players of his standing are rare, meaning there is sure to be a huge number of suitors chasing his signature should he decide to move on next year. 

Bayern have a little under two months to work on a new deal to ward off the prospect of the player signing a pre-contract agreement, but it appears Alaba’s status in the squad is unchanged as he was handed a starting spot by coach Hansi Flick against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is capable of becoming “one of the best right-backs ever”, says Brazil legend Cafu, with the Liverpool defender considered to have the world at his feet.

A Champions League and Premier League title winner at Anfield has already taken in over 140 appearances at club level and won 12 caps for England.

He is, however, still just 22 years of age and a long way from reaching his peak.

Once he reaches that stage of his career, Cafu believes the Reds academy graduate could be on course to cement a standing as the finest exponent of his chosen position that the game has ever seen.

A two-time World Cup winner who already occupies that talent pool told Qatar’s Road to 2022 channel: “Trent Alexander-Arnold has a unique personality.

“He's not afraid to be aggressive. He pressure, dribbles, plays, scores, he developed this personality really early and that will help him become a standout player in the Premier League.

“I think he needs to keep everything good that he has, like his physical condition and his pass and perfect the cross a bit more.

“The World Champions title would give him a seat among the best. I had the chance to win the World Cup twice and to play in three finals in a row but he's young and on the right path.

“In the future, he'll be one of the best right-backs ever in England and the world.

“There's a big difference between a professional athlete and a football player. The advice I would give is to be a professional athlete.

“Concentration, dedication, commitment. It's all about the mentality, being focused 24 hours on what you're doing.”

Alexander-Arnold is considered to have revolutionised what being a full-back is all about, with his game about much more than merely keeping opponents out.

His impressive assist haul for Liverpool has been taken to 38 through 144 outings, with a telling contribution being made at both ends of the field.

The Reds are showing no sign of moving him out of the right-back berth that he continues to thrive in, but there have been plenty of calls for a cultured performer to be moved into a midfield role at some stage in the future.

Uganda Cranes coach Johnathan McKinstry has whittled down his squad of local-based players as the team prepares for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan.

The Northern Irish tactician had initially summoned a squad of 20 players from local clubs in the Ugandan Premier League (UPL) but after six days of training, he has trimmed the squad down to seven, who will now link up with the foreign-based players.

Some of the players who have been left out are the experienced trio of Tonny Mawejje, Denis Iguma, and Murushid Jjuuko, who were handed a recall to the national team despite staying out of action for almost a year each.

Iguma had just returned from injury, while Mawejje has not played active football since leaving Al-Arabi last year and Juuko only signed for Express FC two weeks ago after a year out without action.

The players who made the final cut include goalkeeper Charles Lukwago, defenders Halid Lwaliwa, Disan Galiwango, and Patrick Mbowa as well as midfielders Shafik Kagimu, Karim Watambala, and forward Brian Aheebwa.

In an earlier interview, McKinstry defended his decision to call up the three players by stating and as quoted by Kawowo Sports: “There are three guys who have huge experience and have played at really high levels of the game but for some reason, the last nine or ten months have not been as they would have liked them to be.

“But also for all of them, they have moved categories recently because by signing for a UPL team means they are eligible for Chan.

“We are going to start preparing for chan around December 14. So, if I wait until then to see Tony [Mawejje], Murushid [Juuko], and Denis [Iguma] in our training environment then it is probably late for them.

“This was a case of we have six days training with the local guys so let’s bring them in and see where they are physically and technically and even how they fit into our system.

“If you think about it, the type of Cranes team that they played under is a different one that we are building now, so it is a great opportunity for them to come and see how we are developing the team.

“You should never discard experience because it is so valuable. The trio holds huge experience that can only help the young boys but it is down to their performance. No one gets a free ticket just because of their experience.”

Uganda will host South Sudan in the first meeting on November 12 at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende (4 pm) before they face off again five days later in Kenya.

David Alaba remains an important asset for Bayern Munich, says Lothar Matthaus, but the contract rebel has been told he is not “irreplaceable” like Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer and Robert Lewandowski.

The versatile Austria international appears to be edging his way towards the exit at the Allianz Arena.

Discussions regarding a new contract have broken down, meaning that a parting of ways could soon be on the cards.

Alaba is only tied to terms through to the end of the season and could either be offloaded in January or allowed to enter free agency next summer.

Bayern had been hoping to avoid such a situation, and are not yet giving up hope of reaching a compromise when it comes to a new deal, but Matthaus says the German champions are taking the right approach in refusing to be held to ransom.

He told Sky Deutschland: “David is an important player and a face of FC Bayern. That's why they offered him such a great contract. 

“Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer and Robert Lewandowski are a bit more important and therefore above him in the salary structure. David is difficult to replace. Muller, Lewy and Neuer are irreplaceable.

“I hope and still believe that David will play in Munich beyond the season. However, the negotiations have not become easier for him. 

“David is now free and in the market and all of Europe now knows that. Now it will show how high the value of Alaba actually is in the midst of a global pandemic and whether his team of advisors has gambled away.”

Alaba has been accused of shunning a lucrative offer from Bayern, leading to talks being shelved, and Matthaus wants the 28-year-old to come out and state in public whether he is making future calls based on sporting factors or financial gain.

The Bayern legend added: “After several attempts, Bayern withdrew the lucrative, fair and absolutely appropriate offer to David Alaba and I can understand that well. 

“At some point you have to position yourself as a club and set an example. They have now done that. 

“The offer of €11m plus a further €6m as bonuses is not child benefit. Who is making that much money in our society? 

“Solidarity is especially important now in the Corona period. And that also especially applies to soccer stars.

“FC Bayern has always been one of the clubs in the world that treat and pay their players with respect. The offer for David is more than fair and generous. 

“In any case, it is very surprising that these negotiations have been going on for so long.

“If David is looking for a new challenge, it should have been communicated much earlier and more clearly. If he is only interested in more money, then unfortunately he has chosen the wrong time. 

“Now I'm curious to see what his agent will land for him, whether there is a club that has better conditions for Alaba.”

Tanzania suffered a setback in their campaign at the ongoing 2020 Cosafa Women's Cup following a 1-0 loss to Botswana on Saturday.

Mokgabo Thanda's lone effort helped the Zebras' condemn the Twiga Stars to their first defeat of the competition in South Africa.

It was the first-ever meeting between the two teams in the competition but the East Africans could not replicate their winning form following a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe last Wednesday.

After a drab, scoreless first half, the Zebras stunned the Cecafa runners-up when Thanda fired Botswana ahead two minutes after the restart at the Wolfson Stadium.

The East Africans mounted pressure in search for an equaliser but their Zimbabwean counterparts held their nerve to claim the win.

The defeat leaves the Tanzanians on the brink of elimination from the competition, having recorded a win in two matches in Group C. 

With the hopes of progressing to the next round now out of their own hands, the Twiga Stars will hope Zimbabwe beat Botswana with a lone goal on Monday, in order to advance on goal difference.

Botswana's captain Bonang Otlhagile was voted the Player of the Match following her crucial winner against Tanzania.

As it stands, Bostwana are leaders of Group C with three points on goal difference, despite being tied on points with second-placed Tanzania.

World Cup winner Alex Morgan has finally made her WSL debut for Tottenham, with the American superstar stepping off the bench to make her bow in a meeting with Reading.

Spurs snapped up the 31-year-old in September and were considered to have pulled off quite the coup.

Morgan has gone over a year without taking in a competitive appearance after giving birth to daughter Charlie in April 2020.

Her first appearance for her new side came on Saturday when she replaced Rianna Dean in the 69th minute of the match.

She had been hoping to step back onto the field before now, but saw her bow in north London pushed back.

An unfortunate knee problem prevented her from rejoining the fold , with Morgan telling AP Sports : "There’s times definitely where I think stress builds up or I kind of get a little too anxious.

"But I think that I’ve handled it quite well.

"Hopefully in the next two weeks I’ll get on the field with team because we’ve had quite a tough run, especially in the month of October.

"So, I really want to help the team.

"The amount of decelerations (in training) and that puts a toll on your body, especially my body, that’s just gone through building and creating, growing a human.

"So, I kind of had a little setback with my knee. It’s nothing too serious.”

Morgan has only signed a short-term deal with Tottenham through to the end of December, with the intention being for her to see game time ahead of the rearranged Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

No decision has been taken as yet regarding an extended stay in England, with Morgan adding: "I have a plan to go back for the holidays, but you just don't know if I'm planning to continue on here or not

"It all really depends on Covid, and the NWSL as well and what their plans are for next season so I feel like I'm taking it week by week.

"One thing I know is that I want to go home and introduce Charlie to my family because I’ve kind of snatched her away and took her to England with me."

There have been suggestions that Orlando Pride, who Morgan represented prior to linking up with Spurs, will look to put an agreement in place that allows them to add the proven performer to their books ahead of the 2021 NWSL season.

Uganda defender Shafiq Batambuze is among the players released by Gor Mahia ahead of the 2020-21 season.

The dreadlocked defender was partly used last season owing to a knee injury suffered while playing for the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions against Aigle Noir of Burundi in a Caf Champions League tie.

The injury forced him to return to his native Uganda to seek treatment after it emerged that Gor Mahia had refused to assist him financially to undergo a knee operation.

While in Uganda, Batambuze managed to undergo an operation after friends raised Sh400, 000 for him and he recently returned to training in readiness for the new season but has now been released by the club.

According to the final transfer list from the club, Gor Mahia signed a total of 17 players and lost 15.

Apart from Batambuze, other players who left the club include Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka FC), Joash Onyango (Simba SC, Tanzania), Wellington Ochieng (Tusker FC), Elvis Ronack (Nzoia Sugar FC), Kennedy Otieno (Western Stima FC), Boniface Omondi (Wazito FC), David Mapigano (Azam FC, Tanzania).

Others are Dickson Ambundo (Dodoma Jiji FC, Tanzania), Juma Balinya (KCCA FC, Uganda), Clinton Okoth (Wazito FC), Fredrick Odhiambo (Wazito FC), Alphonse OMIJA (Kariobangi Sharks FC), Edwin Lavatsa, and Ghanaian Jackson Owusu.

The new players at Gor Mahia include; Andrew Juma from (Mathare United FC), Tito Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda), Bertrand Nkofor (Al Mudhaibi FC, Oman), Jules Ulimwengu (Rayon Sports SC, Rwanda), John Macharia (FC Guria Lanchkuti, Georgia), Andrew Malisero (Commercial FC), Samuel Njau (Western Stima FC).

Others are striker Benson Omalla (Western Stima FC), John Ochieng (Chemelil Sugar FC), Frank Odhiambo (Bongonaya FC), Gad Mathews (Kisumu All-Stars FC), Kennedy Odhiambo (Western Stima FC), Levis Opiyo (Nairobi City Stars FC), Dickson Raila (Masawa FC), Sydney Wahongo (Western Stima FC) and Kelvin Wesonga (Western Stima FC).

Gor Mahia will have quite a task in their quest to retain the title considering their first five 2020/21 fixtures as they will open their campaign against Tusker – their most formidable rivals in the last four seasons.

It will be the second straight time the Brewers and K’Ogalo have been scheduled in a season-opening fixture as they had met in the 2019/20 season when Gor Mahia mounted a comeback to stun Tusker 5-2 in Kisumu.

For their third match, Gor Mahia will entertain the 2008 Kenyan Premier League winners Mathare United on December 4.

The Green Army will then host another former league champions Sofapaka in what will be their second home match on December 9. On December 13, the record league champions will travel to face debutants Bidco United.

Manchester United are on their best away run in the Premier League in 27 years after the 3-1 win at Everton on Saturday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team fought back from a goal down to seal the three points at Goodison Park, with a Bruno Fernandes double and a late Edinson Cavani strike getting the job done.

While the Red Devils' inconsistent start to the 2020-21 campaign has seen the Norwegian manager come under pressure, United fans can have no qualms about their domestic record on the road.

They have now won their last seven away games in the English top flight, and according to Opta Sports it is their best run since August in 1993. The Old Trafford side went on to win the league that season under Sir Alex Ferguson.

It is the third time in a row they have fought back from a goal down to win away in the Premier League this season. They are just the third team to go on such a run after Leeds, who did so in 1999, and Tottenham under Andre Villas-Boas in December 2013.

Saturday's victory was United's 17th at Goodison Park in the league - no other away team has won as many at a specific stadium in the division.

After his double, Fernandes has now been involved in 15 goals in 10 matches on the road, having scored 10 and assisted another five - more than any other Premier League player has had a hand in. The last player to score 10 in as many games away from home was Kevin Phillips back in 1999 with Sunderland.

After a strong start to the campaign, Everton are now without a win in four Premier League matches and have now lost three in a row.

Not since his days in charge of AC Milan in 2006 has coach Carlo Ancelotti been defeated three times in a row in the league. The Rossoneri finished fourth in the table that year, 36 points behind the champions.

While Everton sit fifth in the table after eight matches, United have moved up to 13th and have 10 points from seven games.

Bruno Fernandes admits “everyone needs to be a leader” at Manchester United after the Red Devils once again relied on him to inspire a much-needed victory over Everton.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took his side to Goodison Park aware that another Premier League setback could spell the end of his time in the Old Trafford hot seat.

He watched his side fall behind to an early effort from Bernard, but the perfect response was offered after that.

Portuguese playmaker Fernandes led the charge for United, as he so often has done on the back of a January move from Sporting, and he had the Red Devils in front at the interval.

Edinson Cavani stepped off the bench to score his first goal for the club in stoppage-time, with a side that have looked out of sorts at home and abroad of late showing that they do boast the fighting spirit that has been called into question on a regular basis of late.

Fernandes told BT Sport afterwards, with his second goal of the day whipped fractionally over the head of a club colleague: “I don't care if Marcus [Rashford] touched it a little bit, it can be his goal, it is no problem for me - most important for me as a number 10 is serving my team-mates.

“I think we know inside the dressing room what we need to do. Everyone needs to be a leader.”

Fernandes added on the contest as a whole: “It was a great end to the game. We knew what we had to do [today] and we did it well.

“We did some mistakes in the second half, maybe we were a bit more confident and wanted to go forward and we didn't keep the ball too much. After the first goal we had a great reaction and we did what we had to do.

“We know our quality. We worked hard for the game. It was difficult to recover after the [Istanbul Basaksehir] game. This was the moment to do something in this game and we did it.”

With critics silenced by a welcome win on the road, Harry Maguire is another United star looking for the Red Devils to kick on from this point.

The England international defender said: “We knew we had to get three points today. It's early in the season and we don't look at the table but the points we have accumulated isn't good enough for this club.

“It's important to bounce back from setbacks. We did it at Newcastle. We started the game really well but conceded a disappointing goal from a long, direct ball and we should have had better cover.

“We've been questioned but we know we don't answer them in 90 minutes, we answer them day in, day out. The lads are working tirelessly for this club, everyone wants to improve and do better. The manager has to pull the lads off the training ground.

“I think we know the first goal in Istanbul can't happen. We went away to Turkey and knew it would be tough game.

“It made it a frustrating night for us and the individuals knew in the changing room straight after and held their hands up and apologised. We are a good group who work really hard and we're all in this together.”

United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir in their last outing, as they hit a serious bump in a Champions League road, but are now back on track and have the international break to work on establishing some momentum.

Perak faced very little resistance from Kelantan United, and advanced to the Malaysia Cup quarter-finals with a straightforward win.

PERAK

Hafizul Hakim - 7/10

Save for a few of the visitors' chances which hit the woodwork, the goalkeeper was seldom called into action.

Amirul Azhan - 7/10

The right back had a straightforward time guarding his flank.

Shahrul Saad - 7/10

The centre back put in an adequate performance to help his team keep a clean sheet and record a win.

Tarik Isic - 7/10

The central defender who was recently promoted from Perak II must have found the encounter the perfect chance to familiarise himself with the first team, a competitive match against a much weaker team.

Rafiuddin Roddin - 7/10

The left back was seldom troubled by the visitors down his flank.

J. Partiban - 7/10

The right winger put in a relatively quiet shift on a night Perak did not have to go into gear two.

Kenny Pallraj - 7/10

A good outing for the midfielder, who helped his side dominate the midfield.

Leandro dos Santos - 9/10 (Man of the Match)

A fantastic night for a player who is not his team's main goal-getter. On top of helping the hosts dominate the middle of the park, dos Santos also ended on the scoresheet three times in the match.

Leandro dos Santos. Photo from Sports Regime

Firdaus Saiyadi - 7/10

The left winger had a good night and managed an assist for the opening goal, but after he became a constant target of the visitors' tough tackling and picked up a booking, he was taken off early in the second half.

Careca - 8/10

The forward had a relatively quiet night, save for an assist for Perak's third goal, and his late goal.

Shahrel Fikri - 8/10

The forward worked hard throughout the match, dropping down often to help win back the ball, and came away with two assists. 

Substitutions:

Adib Ra'op,  Khairil Anuar, Nazirul Naim, Farid Khazali - N/A

Second half substitutions who did enough to help the Bos Gaurus maintain their supremacy.

KELANTAN UNITED

Syazwan Yusoff - 5/10

There was very little the custodian could do on a night his team and defence were not performing well.

Daudsu Jamaludin - 4/10

The right back and skipper underwhelmed in the encounter for someone with as much as experience as he is, failing to lead his defence.

Aylton Ferreira - 5/10

The centre back could not keep the more dominant home team attackers out of his team's danger area.

Faizol Nazlin - 5/10

The defender was not able to give Perak forwards a tougher time.

Aziz Ismail - 5/10

The left back could not help defend his goal.

Shahrul Hakim - 5/10

The right winger did not turn in the kind of performance that is needed when playing against the favourites as underdogs.

Adil Kouskous - 5/10

Kelantan United's midfield department failed to work as a unit in support of their attack, and Kouskous had to make way for Rozaimi Azwar early in the second half.

Alfusainey Gassama - 5/10

A disappointing night for the midfielder.

Alif Romli - 5/10

The left winger could not play a bigger part in the encounter.

Fakhrul Zaman - 5/10

The forward failed to make himself a more dangerous threat to the hosts.

Selwan Sinan - 4/10

The Swedish-Iraqi forward struggled to combine well with the midfielders and looked isolated in the first half. Having picked up a needless booking, he was substituted off at the start at the second half.

Substitutions:

Fazrul Amir, Rozaimi Azwar, Aizzat Maidin, Ikhwan Yazek - N/A

Second half changes that could not help change the game's outcome.

Lionel Messi was named among Barcelona's substitutes for Saturday's La Liga contest against Real Betis, with the Argentine deemed "not fresh" enough to start the fixture.

The absence of the captain from Ronald Koeman's starting XI at Camp Nou was a peculiar one given Barca have failed to win their past four matches in Spain's top flight, with reports in Spain initially suggesting he was not being risked due to a slight ankle problem.

Koeman's assistant Alfred Schreuder has, however, insisted that there is no injury concern and that the 33-year-old simply isn't at peak fitness: "We're not talking about an injury [for Messi], he's just not fresh.

"He has played a lot of games. Koeman has said: if you're not 100 per cent fresh, it's better you start on the bench."

Messi, who last started on the bench for two matches in September 2019, had previously started every game in La Liga and the Champions League under Koeman, who named Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati in his starting line-up.

The Argentine legend has regularly found himself in the spotlight since failing to engineer a move away from Barca in the past transfer window, particularly given he is yet to score from open play or provide an assist in La Liga this term.

On Friday, Koeman defended Messi against claims that he was not working hard enough for the team following viral footage from Barca's midweek win over Dynamo Kiev, which showed him failing to press the opposition in second-half injury time. 

In that game, Messi had more shots (six) and created more chances (four) than any other player in the match, but he also lost possession more frequently than anyone else (20 times) without once winning it back.

"I didn't seem him [walking] and I'm not interested in this because I don't see him walking," Koeman said. "If you want to start a controversy around this point, it's your problem.

"Messi is mentally good, enjoying this sport. He's a winner and sometimes you go through moments when the ball doesn't go in, but he looks really focused.

"I think Messi still has so many qualities. He's very important in our game."

Last weekend's 1-1 draw at 10-man Deportivo Alaves saw Barca equal their lowest tally of points through six games in La Liga.

Wazito FC head coach Fred Ambani has boldly stated this time around his charges will not disappoint in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League.

In the abandoned 2019/20 season, the Nairobi-based side struggled for consistency and as a result, there were regular changes in the technical bench. The team ended up finishing in the 13th position and went on to release up to 13 players.

Ahead of the start of the new season later this month, they have made their signings and have so far played two friendly matches. A couple of days ago, they fell 2-1 to Zoo FC at Kericho Green Stadium before defeating Narok Combined 5-1 at Ole Ntimama Stadium on Saturday.

"This year, we will not disappoint in the league," the confident Ambani said after the match.

"The fans have every reason to expect a good run from us in the league. We will continue with the good run we had. The pre-season friendly matches should not worry our fans at all.

"As the technical bench, we are confident in the team we have and when it comes to business, we will deliver."

The youthful coach, who is a former Harambee Stars, explained why Wazito followers should not be worried or excited about the results registered in the pre-season friendlies.

"The fans should not be disappointed or excited with results during this period," Ambani stated. 

"This is the time we are building a team and trying several combinations. If something does not work, we go back to the drawing board and analyse the situation and if it works, then we proceed with it.

"We are building a winning team here, that is why we have pre-season friendly matches."

The tactician has also revealed his plans before the 2020/21 FKF-PL kicks off officially on November 20.

"If the league starts on the scheduled date, then we will have one more friendly game," Ambani continued.

"If anything comes in between, then we might as well change our plans. But as it stands, the players we have are sufficient and capable of giving us the positive results we are targeting.

"These are the players we are going to work with and we are confident in their ability." 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has accused the Premier League of setting his side “up to fail”, with the Manchester United boss left seething at the “absolute shambles” of having to take in a Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Everton.

The under-fire Norwegian headed to Goodison Park knowing that he needed a win in order to ease some of the pressure that has been building on his shoulders.

It appeared early on as though more misery would be endured on Merseyside, with Bernard opening the scoring for the visitors.

Bruno Fernandes was, however, to help turn the tie on its head , with the Portuguese playmaker bagging a brace before half-time.

Both teams survived penalty scares in the second half before Edinson Cavani stepped off the bench to register his first goal for the Red Devils and wrap up all three points.

Solskjaer should have been feeling a little better about things at the final whistle, with his head seemingly removed from the chopping block, but he was eager to take aim at those who forced his side to grace the weekend’s early game on the back of a testing midweek Champions League trip to Istanbul.

The United boss told BT Sport : “We were set up to fail. The kick-off time set us up to fail.

“We have been to Turkey, played loads of games this season already, we got back Thursday morning and we are playing Saturday lunchtime, it's an absolute shambles.

“These boys deserve better. Luke Shaw has got injured because of it. It's a hamstring which might be a long one and Marcus Rashford might be struggling.

“The authorities set us up to fail, who is responsible? We've had enough of that.

“Players this season, in these times, a pandemic, mentally and physically, it's draining. Let us play on a Sunday, there's an international break after this, it's a joke.”

While being left angered by the match calendar, Solskjaer was pleased to see his players deliver a performance that will have silenced some of their critics.

He was particularly pleased for a summer signing who has now opened his account for the club and should be expected to go from strength to strength as he feels more settled in new surroundings.

Solskjaer added: “The players were brilliant. Cavani is getting better and better.”